Song of the Week #97 – “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)”
Written by admin on March 12, 2012 – 9:33 pm -| The Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.
The Phil Spector-produced pop classic was released in May 1963 on single, backed with “Git’ It,” and later in the year would feature on the album “The Crystals Sing the Greatest Hits – Vol 1”. |
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The Crystals were a well established group by the time “Da Doo Ron Ron” was released, but the degree of Phil Spector’s control over the artists on his Philles label is highlighted by the fact that it was not always the same singers recording as The Crystals. The group formed in 1961 and the original members were Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, Dolores “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew, Myrna Girard and Patricia “Patsy” Wright. However, it was an entirely different set of singers who scored their biggest hit using the name The Crystals. The song was “He’s a Rebel” and the singers were the Blossoms, with Darlene Love on lead vocals. This was because the original Crystals were in New York and the LA-based Phil Spector was in a hurry to record and release the song. According to Darlene Love, “Da Doo Ron Ron” was originally also going to feature her vocal, but Spector changed his mind and flew in Dolores “La La” Brooks from New York, with the Blossoms retained for the backing vocals. Brooks had joined The Crystals in 1962, replacing the pregnant Myrna Girard.
Last month, La La Brooks told NJ.com:
| “But then, he gave me the biggest songs ever — ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ and ‘Then He Kissed Me.’ I couldn’t have been more thankful to Phil for that. I was 15 when I did that. And today, you can find kids and teenagers — you don’t even have to say ‘the Crystals.’ All you have to say is, ‘I made this song’: (sings) ‘I met him on a Monday …’ ‘Oh my God! I know that song!’ So it was a blessing in disguise, all of his craziness. I’m blessed.” |
La La Brooks and Phil Spector
Darlene Love was and still is a very fine vocalist, but La La Brooks’ performance is so engaging and believable that it silences any potential criticism of Spector’s decision to go with her vocal on the record. It’s not just the vocals that engage the listener though. “Da Doo Ron Ron” has many other virtues, not least a hugely infectious melody, which perfectly supports the message of excitement and hope in the “teenage crush” lyrics (“I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still); an inspired saxophone solo that cements the feel-good tone of the song; and of course Hal Blaine’s thunderous drum work which is perfectly balanced to move the song along, without overpowering. All this comes together via Phil Spector’s fantastic so-called “Wall of Sound” production style, in which he would cram huge numbers of sessions musicians into the studio to create multiple layers of instrumentation. Spector has described this production style as “A Wagnerian approach to rock & roll: little symphonies for the kids”.
“Da Doo Ron Ron” – The Crystals
For those wondering what “Da Doo Ron Ron” means, the best answer came from songwriter Jeff Barry with his wry statement “It probably means the same thing as ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy.'”
Authorship
“Da Doo Ron Ron” was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting teams of the 1960s, penning such classics as “Chapel of Love,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” “Leader of the Pack,” and the Crystals’ next big single “The He Kissed Me.” Barry, Greenwich and Spector would collaborate several months later on the brilliant “Be My Baby”.
Recording date/location
“Da Doo Ron Ron” was recorded in March 1963 at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Musicians
“Da Doo Ron Ron” was one of the many all time great pop songs to feature the highly talented Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. Among those featured on the song were:
- Tommy Tedesco – guitar
- Steve Douglas – baritone sax lead
- Carol Kaye – bass
- Don Randi – piano
- Hal Blaine – drums.
La La Brooks’ lead vocals were supported by the Blossoms, who were Darlene Love, Fanita James and Gloria Jones. A young Cher is also reported to have sung on the recording.
Chart performance
“Da Doo Ron Ron” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 2, 1963.
The song reached number five on the UK single chart.
Covers
“Da Doo Ron Ron” – The Searchers
The Searchers featured “Da Doo Ron Ron” on their debut album “Meet the Searchers” in 1963, with “Bill” becoming “Jill”. It’s an enjoyable performance from the Liverpool band, with strong vocal harmonies, but overall it does lack the punch of the original.
“Da Doo Ron Ron” – The Belmonts
Dion’s former backing group The Belmonts included “Da Doo Ron Ron” on their excellent 1972 album “Cigars, Acappella, Candy.” With the original featuring Spector’s trademark “Wall of Sound,” the Belmonts’ acapella approach couldn’t have been more different. The group make it work though, with accomplished harmonies that evoke the early days of doo-wop.
There will be a new Song of the Week on March 19.
The Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron” is available on the excellent 2011 compilations “Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of The Crystals” and “Essential Phil Spector”.
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Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of The Crystals (CD) |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
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Essential Phil Spector (2 CDs) |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Tags: Da Doo Ron Ron, Darlene Love, phil spector, The Belmonts, The Blossoms, the Crystals, the wall of sound
Posted in 60s pop, Song of the Week |
